2022 Kia K5

　　

2022 Kia K5 Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2022 Kia K5 is a midsize sedan that's one of zzdcar' favorite cars on the road today. When it debuted last year as a replacement for the Kia Optima, the K5 impressed with its sharp styling and comfortable and quiet interior. Kia's excellent warranty and a long list of standard and optional features for the money add to the K5's appeal.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Kia K5 LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$116/mo  for K5 LX

　　K5 LX

　　LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $23,790 MSRPLXS 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $24,790 MSRPLXS 4dr Sedan AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $26,590 MSRPGT-Line 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $26,190 MSRPGT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $27,790 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $28,690 MSRPGT 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $31,190 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The K5 has a sporty and premium feel you can't find in most rivals. Certainly, there are some familiar alternatives here, including the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. There's also the Hyundai Sonata, which is mechanically related to the K5 and shares many of the same qualities. Still, the K5 stands slightly above the competition. Find out exactly how by reading our Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.3

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the K5 drive? The Kia K5 with its standard 180-horsepower engine won't impress you, but power is more than sufficient for daily use. It matches the Honda Accord in a straight line, taking 8 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph from a stop. Stopping from 60 mph requires a few more feet than average, but otherwise braking is easy and smooth.

　　The K5's aggressive styling might suggest it's sportier than usual, but that's simply not the case. We'd call the steering and handling par for the course. But perhaps what's more important is the K5 is easy to drive. The transmission shifts pretty seamlessly and is responsive to downshifts when you need to pass.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the K5? This is a big step forward from the Optima. The only minor annoyance was a slight rattle coming from the panoramic sunroof blind. Otherwise, the K5 is as silent on the highway as some luxury sedans. Seriously. The front seats provide decent comfort over several hours, with a good amount of cushioning and moderate support from the side bolsters. The suspension ably soaks up road imperfections and avoids feeling overly soft.

　　We're also impressed with the climate control system that features a unique three-mode auto setting that can limit fan speed. Seat ventilation is available on higher trims.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below